All posts tagged ‘Conspiracy Theories’

Not too long ago, futurists believed that as communication became easier and access to data became more universal, people would be better informed and better educated, which would result in a society that makes better decisions; ignorance and superstition would become obsolete, and old animosities rooted in myth and distrust would evaporate. Sadly, it seems the internet has served to speed up the dissemination of urban legends, hoaxes and disinformation.

Georgia attorney Loren Collins, in his new book, Bullspotting, takes aim at the logical fallacies that underlie many of today’s most popular delusions. (Disclosure: I’ve known Collins for at least 15 years; I was a regular contributor to an earlier site of his, Suspension of Disbelief, where we examined the accuracy of plot points in comic books and movies; when he ran for Congress as write-in candidate for the Bull Moose Party, I designed his Bull Moose logo. I’m reviewing his book here not because he’s a friend, but because his book is very good.) Continue Reading “Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation” »

Atlantis, that mysterious and disappeared island that Plato wrote about (Image: Wikipedia)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) makes cool maps that show what the bottom of the ocean looks like. Some years ago, the data they collected got integrated into the data used by Google Earth (everyone’s favorite geographical information program). It was only a matter of time — 2009, to be precise — until some crafty and/or delusional folks looked deeply into Google Ocean (part of Google Earth program) and studied these seafloor maps. And they spied something that got them excited.

In an area of the Atlantic Ocean northwest of the Canary Islands, they saw regular lines and grids. NOAA called them “grid-like artifacts.” But these other folks — not scientists and data-crunchers, but lovers and dreamers — called them “underwater streets.” Signs of civilization. A sunken city.

From the beginning of time there have been conspiracy theories. Back then, they were pretty basic such as Og and his secret fire. As we advanced as a society, so did our conspiracy theories and the paranoia grew right along with it. From the mysterious Illuminati to the Da Vinci Code to the mystery man on the grassy knoll to the moon landing, almost every major event in history automatically gets a conspiracy theory attached to it. Well what about the minor events? What about the things in life that we may take for granted? That is, by focusing on the large & grand conspiracy theories, are we missing some of the smaller ones that might exist?

In the spirit of keeping hope alive for all conspiracy theorists out there who are slowly having the rug pulled out from under their theories by things like facts and proof, here is a list of 51 conspiracy theories that don’t exist, but probably should. So slap on your foil hat and enjoy!

1. The Military has Alien technology that allows intergalactic Unreal Tournaments.
2. Astronauts on the space station only age one day for every three on board.
3. The moon landing was not a hoax. However, every NASA mission after that is because – let’s face it – how can you top landing on the moon!
4. Publicly released Hubble images are actually the results of Photoshop
tutorials by Industrial Light and Magic interns.

It's a Documentary. (image: WB)

5. The Matrix is a documentary. It’s release was a “glitch.” Think about it, man.
6. Cable companies are working with grocery delivery services to market targeted food advertising to the giant Agra-conglomerates in the United States. You are only safe by “borrowing” your neighbor’s cable or stopping grocery delivery service. Otherwise, they know where you live.
7. The government has secretly taken over all aluminum foil manufacturers to embed transmitters in every roll because for a while there, they weren’t able to read our minds.
8. Tunnels and Bridges give us all Total Recall.
9. Dick Clark is a robot and used his own parts to create his robot son Ryan Seacrest.
10. Jim Morrison faked his death so he could start a successful niche bakery that only sells muffin tops.

From the beginning of time there have been conspiracy theories. Back then, they were pretty basic such as Og and his secret fire. As we advanced as a society, so did our conspiracy theories and the paranoia grew right along with it. From the mysterious Illuminati to the Da Vinci Code to the mystery man on the grassy knoll to the moon landing, almost every major event in history automatically gets a conspiracy theory attached to it. Well what about the minor events? What about the things in life that we may take for granted? That is, by focusing on the large & grand conspiracy theories, are we missing some of the smaller ones that might exist?

In the spirit of keeping hope alive for all conspiracy theorists out there who are slowly having the rug pulled out from under their theories by things like facts and proof, here is a list of 51 conspiracy theories that don’t exist, but probably should. So slap on your foil hat and enjoy!

1. The Military has Alien technology that allows intergalactic Unreal Tournaments.
2. Astronauts on the space station only age one day for every three on board.
3. The moon landing was not a hoax. However, every NASA mission after that is because – let’s face it – how can you top landing on the moon!
4. Publicly released Hubble images are actually the results of Photoshop
tutorials by Industrial Light and Magic interns.

It's a Documentary. (image: WB)

5. The Matrix is a documentary. It’s release was a “glitch.” Think about it, man.
6. Cable companies are working with grocery delivery services to market targeted food advertising to the giant Agra-conglomerates in the United States. You are only safe by “borrowing” your neighbor’s cable or stopping grocery delivery service. Otherwise, they know where you live.
7. The government has secretly taken over all aluminum foil manufacturers to embed transmitters in every roll because for a while there, they weren’t able to read our minds.
8. Tunnels and Bridges give us all Total Recall.
9. Dick Clark is a robot and used his own parts to create his robot son Ryan Seacrest.
10. Jim Morrison faked his death so he could start a successful niche bakery that only sells muffin tops.